Southwest to go fully virtual Nov. 29 - Dec. 1 to lessen risk of coronavirus spread following Thanksgiving holiday
By Daphne Thomas
Southwest Tennessee Community College classes and operations will be fully virtual
Nov. 29 - Dec. 1 to lessen the risk of spread of the coronavirus at Southwest locations
following the Thanksgiving holiday. In-person classes and full campus operations resume
Thursday, Dec. 2. The College will be closed Nov. 25 - 26 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we are going virtual these three days to give those
who may have contracted the coronavirus while traveling and gathering during the Thanksgiving
holiday a chance to possibly present symptoms and take appropriate measures to get
tested, care for themselves and protect others,” President Tracy D. Hall said. “Since
the onset of the pandemic, our priorities have been the health and welfare of students,
employees, and the broader community. While we hold fast to our mission of student
success, this proactive approach to prevent the transmission of the virus after a
major holiday where families and the public may tend to gather and celebrate in close
quarters is prudent and necessary. I am confident our students and employees can pivot
and keep moving forward to success,” Dr. Hall said.
College officials consulted with Shelby County Health Department Director Dr. Michelle
Taylor who agreed that the all-virtual modality is advisable given the potential for
a spike in the infection rate in the wake of the Thanksgiving holiday travel tradition.
This brief, all-virtual modality does NOT mean that the College is not operating.
It means all students will attend classes virtually and that the number of employees
physically working at College locations will be dramatically reduced. Campus libraries
and computer labs will be closed to students and the public. There will be no on-campus
meetings or events.
During this time, the Southwest custodial services team will engage in enhanced cleaning
of all facilities.
Stay tuned to email, social media and the College’s coronavirus section of the website for news and updates.